Real-time wireless sensor scoring

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms and methods for measuring shooting performance. These mechanisms and methods for measuring shooting performance make it possible for coaches and players to obtain information they need to measure levels of play, improve and maintain skills, select players to meet game situations and team requirements, and make decisions on player roles.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This U.S. Patent Application claims the benefit of a U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/643,988 entitled REAL TIME WIRELESS SENSORSCORING, by William M. Klein, filed Jan. 14, 2005 (Attorney DocketKLEIN-01000US0), which is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates generally to measuring shootingperformance, and more particularly to a mechanism for real time wirelesssensor scoring.

BACKGROUND

There is an outstanding need in amateur and professional sports toidentify players with the potential for development and to providemeasurement and training tools to improve performance of existingplayers. No where is this more true than in the shooting sports, such asbasketball, tennis, hockey, golf and others, in which the outcome of anentire game can be determined by the performance of a single playertaking a shot.

Currently, the selection, development, training and evaluation ofplayers is almost completely dependent on the experience andobservations of coaches and scouts and based upon observing actual play.These simple methods, however, lack any quantitative measure of shootingproficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is functional block diagram of an example playing environment inwhich techniques for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment ofthe present invention may be implemented.

FIGS. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating a high level overview of aconsole apparatus for measuring shooting performance of one embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3D are functional block diagrams of example playingenvironments having a plurality of superimposed cells indicatinglocation for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams illustrating a high level overview ofscreens displayed by a console apparatus for measuring shootingperformance of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is functional diagram of an example encoding technique forqualifying shot types in the playing environment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is functional diagram of example historical performancemeasurements being tracked for a shooting session in the playingenvironment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high level overviewof a technique for measuring shooting performance of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8C are functional diagrams of example presentations fordisplaying performance measurements in the playing environmentillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a high level overview of a screendisplayed by a software embodiment for transferring information to andfrom a console apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram of an example computer system, whichmay be used to embody one or more components of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanisms and methods formeasuring shooting performance. These mechanisms and methods formeasuring shooting performance make it possible for coaches and playersto obtain information they need to measure levels of play, improve andmaintain skills, select players to meet game situations and teamrequirements, and make decisions on player roles.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a system for measuringshooting performance. One embodiment of the system includes a firstsensor to detect shots taken and a second sensor to determine shotsmade. A console is communicatively coupled with the first sensor and thesecond sensor to receive data and determine performance of a player.Embodiments include one or more location sensors that automaticallydetect the position of the player when shots are taken and recordpositional information along with information about the shot. Thisability to obtain information to measure levels of play makes itpossible to improve skills, select players to meet game situations andteam requirements, and make decisions on player roles.

While the present invention is described herein with reference toexample embodiments for measuring basketball players' performance, thepresent invention is not so limited, and in fact, the real timemeasurement techniques provided by embodiments of the present inventionare broadly applicable to a wide variety of shooting sports. As usedherein, the term shooting sports is intended to be broadly construed toinclude any sport in which a player makes a shot, including withoutlimitation basketball, tennis, hockey, water polo, polo, lacrosse, golfand other shooting sports.

FIG. 1 is functional block diagram of an example playing environment inwhich techniques for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment ofthe present invention may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, aperformance measuring system embodiment is being used in abasketball-playing environment. The system embodiment includes a firstsensor 102 to detect number of shots taken, a second sensor 103 todetermine number of shots made. The first sensor includes a delay toavoid double counting the same shot when multiple triggering eventsoccur. For example, in one embodiment, the first sensor includes a timedelay, enabling the first sensor to avoid double counting the same shotfrom multiple vibrations of the rim or backboard. In the embodimentdepicted by FIG. 1, the first sensor 102 and second sensor 103 include awireless RF communication link to a console 101. The console 101incorporates hardware, software or a combination thereof, to measure,track and record shooting session performance results. In oneembodiment, the first sensor 102 is a vibration sensor that is attachedto the basketball rim or backboard to detect a shot taken. In oneembodiment, the second sensor includes a counter lever attached to abasketball rim or backboard to track shots made. In an alternativeembodiment, the second sensor includes an opto-electronic sensorattached below the basketball rim or backboard. Proximity sensors canalso be employed as well as other types of optical, electrical andmechanical sensors.

Embodiments include one or more location sensors that automaticallydetect the position of the player and record positional information. Inone embodiment, a pressure sensitive grid comprising a plurality ofcells indicating location is disposed over the playing field in order todetect the location of the player when making a shot. In anotherembodiment, an infrared sensor matrix is used to superimpose a pluralityof location cells comprising a grid over the playing field. In a yetfurther embodiment, a camera coupled with a range detection device canbe used to detect the location of the player with respect to celllocations in the playing environment. Examples of cells comprising alocation grid is discussed in further detail below with reference toFIGS. 3A-3D.

In one embodiment, a wireless headset 104 is worn by the player duringplay to communicatively couple the player to the console 101. Usingvoice recognition functionality in conjunction with the headset 104, theplayer can input voice commands, including type of shot to be taken,number of shots to be attempted, a time period for shooting and so forthwithout interrupting play. Further, in one play mode, the player cancall out the types of shots using the headset 104 as the player takesthe shot.

In one embodiment, a video camera 105 is operatively disposed to recordshots the player takes. The video camera 105 can be constantly operatingor can be triggered using a command from the wireless headset 104, amotion sensor (not shown) directed at the player, or by input of acommand at the console 101 by a coach or another player.

In one embodiment, the vibration sensor and counter lever includewireless RF receiver communication links to the console 101. The console101 (FIGS. 2A-2C) includes input keys and an LED display of keyinformation for each shooting session. Various system embodiments mayalso include one or more of a timer, buzzer and warning device to signalthe player. In one embodiment, a player or coach inputs the shootingsession parameters and starts the program. When the player shoots fromthe specified court location, the console 101 records success or failureof each shot, along with the shot type and player location, for thedesired period of time or number of shots. A warning voice projectselapsed time in one-minute increments as well as a countdown startingwith 10 seconds of shooting time remaining or 10 shots left to take. Thesystem's buzzer announces the completion of the session and the relevantperformance data is displayed and saved if desired. All shot sessiondata may be stored on a memory card and archived on a personal computer(PC) for historical analysis, review and comparison to other players.Alternatively, the console 101 can be directly linked to a computer.

FIG. 2A-2C are block diagrams illustrating a high level overview of aconsole apparatus for measuring shooting performance of one embodimentof the present invention. The console embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2Aincludes a first display area 202 that provides prompting to the playeror coach using text messages, graphics, icons or a combination thereof.Example prompts for a training session are discussed below withreference to FIG. 4A. A second display area 204 provides a view of theplaying field to the player or coach. Display area 204 can be used toindicate the location from which the player takes shots. Display areas202 and 204 may be implemented as different screens depicted on a singledisplay in some embodiments. In one embodiment, a warning voice (notshown) projects elapsed time in one-minute increments. Additionally, oneor more input keys 208, a reset key 210, start key 212 and select key214 receive commands input manually from a player or a coach. An LEDdisplay 206 provides key information about each shooting session to theplayer or coach such as presenting a countdown starting with 10 secondsof shooting time remaining or 10 shots left to take. Various consoleembodiments will also include a timer, buzzer and warning device (notshown). A memory card slot 220 is provided for receiving a memory cardupon which performance data may be stored. The memory card may enablethe console 101 to interface with a computer to populate a database withhistorical performance data, prepare charts and display graphs.Alternatively, the console 101 can be directly linked to a computerusing a USB port or other communications interface. FIG. 2B illustratesanother console embodiment, in which a computer style keyboard 216provides a mechanism for a player or coach to enter information andrespond to prompts. FIG. 2C illustrates a further console embodiment, inwhich the shooter or coach can configure display area 204 to display oneor more cells superimposed on the playing field in order to select shotlocations. Cells may be arranged according to any number ofarrangements, including without limitation the arrangements illustratedby FIGS. 3A-3D. One or more keys 208 include alphanumeric inputs toenable players or coaches to enter player names and so forth as well asnumeric data. An LED display 206 provides the player or coach withinformation and control capabilities from the console. Shooting sessionindicators including a shots taken display 222, shots made display area224, percentage made display 226 and location display 228 presentshooting session statistics to the player or coach at the end of ashooting session or in real time. A display key 216 enables the shooteror coach to display the results of the last several shooting sessions onthe console 101. Some embodiments include the capability to define acustom shooing routine or choose “random”. For example, in oneembodiment, a player or coach could define a three point shooting cycleby entering numbers of cells to shoot from, storing the locations in amemory and associating a code with the stored sequence. Alternativeembodiments implement the functionality of console 101 as softwareexecuting on a laptop or portable computer, personal data assistant(PDA), cell phone or other wireless device, wearable personal computerworn by the player or other devices.

FIGS. 3A-3D are functional block diagrams of example playingenvironments having a plurality of superimposed cells indicatinglocation for measuring shooting performance in one embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, in one example playingenvironment 300, a plurality of cells indicating location of a playerare superimposed on the playing environment. Shooting locations inplaying environment 300 are arranged according to a convention in whichodd numbered shooting locations are disposed to the right hand side ofthe playing area and even numbered shooting locations are on the lefthand side of the playing area. Of course, in some embodiments, odd andeven numbered cells may be on opposite sides from the ones illustratedin FIG. 3A. Such naming conventions of shooting locations are providedby embodiments of the present invention in order to facilitate easierplayer (or coach) identification of the player locations. Further,playing environment 300 includes cells having different sizes in areasconsidered to be of special interest to the player or relevance toscoring in the particular shooting sport under practice, such as thefoul line or the 3 point line in basketball, for example. FIG. 3Billustrates another example playing environment 302, in which theplurality of cells indicating location of a player is arranged in aCartesian grid of uniform cell size and shape. A Cartesian coordinatepair identifies each cell. FIG. 3C illustrates a further example playingenvironment 304, in which the plurality of cells indicating location ofa player is arranged using polar coordinates. Cells in playingenvironment 304 are in a preferred embodiment of uniform cell size andshape. A polar coordinate pair identifies each cell. FIG. 3D illustratesa yet further example playing environment 306, in which playinglocations are designated by concentric semi-circles. Each shootinglocation varies in area and may be identified by a number, letter,color, combination thereof or other conventions that are contemplated.

Shooting location detection may be achieved using various techniques inembodiments of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, apressure sensitive grid comprising a plurality of cells indicatinglocation is disposed over the playing field in order to detect thelocation of the player when making a shot. Such techniques areespecially useful when cells vary in size and shape, such as theembodiment illustrated by FIG. 3A. In another embodiment, an infraredsensor matrix is used to superimpose a plurality of location cellscomprising a grid over the playing environment. In this embodiment, adevice that includes an infrared sensor and an infrared light sourceproduces pulses of infrared light and uses optics to focus reflectionsfrom the infrared light pulse from different portions of the playingenvironment to different detectors in a 2D array detector. The detectorproduces indications of the distance to the closest object in anassociated portion of the playing environment. A processor receives theindication of the infrared sensor to determine the player location. Anexemplary infrared sensor for use in the present invention is availablefrom Canesta, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Details of such infrared sensorsare described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,932 and published patentapplications US 2002/0140633 A1, US 2002/0063775 A1, US 2003/0076484 A1each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such techniques areespecially useful when cells are of uniform size and shape, such as theembodiment illustrated by FIG. 3B. In a further embodiment computertouch screen techniques can be used. In a yet further embodiment, acamera 105 coupled with a range detection device can be used to detectlocation of the player with respect to cell locations on the playingenvironment. Such techniques are especially useful when cell locationmay be determined using a range, such as the embodiments illustrated byFIGS. 3C-3D. The player location determined by any one of thesetechniques may be stored along with other data about the shot.

FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams illustrating a high level overview ofscreens displayed by a console 101 for measuring shooting performance ofone embodiment of the present invention. As shown by FIG. 4A, one ormore prompts may be displayed in display area 202 of console 101 toprompt a player or coach to input one or more parameters for theshooting session. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4A, the player(or a coach) inputs the appropriate court location, shot type, desiredperiod of time and/or number of shots, and presses the start key 212 toinitiate the program. In an alternative embodiment, the prompts shown inFIG. 4A may be provided to the player audibly via headset 104, and theplayer's responses received and analyzed using voice recognitionprocessing to obtain responses from the player, thereby providing a“hands free” mode of operation. An “Enable Dual Shooters” prompt enablesmulti-player competition mode, in which the scores of multiple playersare tracked individually to encourage team practice. FIG. 4B illustratesanother example screens displayed by a console 101 in which amulti-player mode is provided. As shown in FIG. 4B, in multi-playermode, the number of shooters playing and optionally shooter ids and/ornames for the shooters may be entered using the keys 208 shown by FIG.2C for example. FIG. 4C illustrates an example shooting session summaryscreen displayed in display area 202 or 204 of console 101 after aplayer completes a shooting session. As shown in FIG. 4C, shootingsession summary statistics may be presented to the player or coach in aformat emulating a basketball (or other sport) scoreboard. Otherembodiments will display the output using other formats appropriate tothe shooting sport being practiced.

Encoding schemes may be used in some embodiments to simplify storage ofshot types in databases or other storage mechanisms. For example, FIG. 5is a functional diagram of an example encoding technique for qualifyingshot types in the playing environment illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown byFIG. 5, an encoding scheme can associate a number with a shot type. Suchencoding techniques can enable analysis based upon statistics developedfor different shot types and in certain cases simplify storage ofhistorical shooting session information. While FIG. 5 illustrates oneencoding scheme for basketball, other embodiments will employ otherencoding techniques appropriate to the shooting sport being practiced.

FIG. 6 is functional diagram of example historical performancemeasurements being tracked for a shooting session in the playingenvironment illustrated in FIG. 1. The example table illustrated in FIG.6 includes a list of parameters describing the results of a basketballshooting session in one embodiment. Various mechanisms for storing andtracking parameter data gathered from shooting sessions are madeavailable in embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, a database isused to store and organize parameter information, such as shown by FIG.6. Other embodiments will employ other storage and organizationtechniques, and store different parameters, appropriate to the shootingsport being practiced.

FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high level overviewof a technique for measuring shooting performance of one embodiment ofthe present invention. The technique for measuring shooting performanceshown in FIG. 7 is operable with console 101 of FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C. Asshown in FIG. 7, a user enters his shooter id number (or name) (block701). The player selects the number of shots to take or a period of timeto shoot (block 702). The player selects a shot location cell (block703). As described above, some embodiments will automatically determinethe location from which the shot is made. The player selects the type ofshot (block 704). The player enters the number of shooters (block 705).The player presses a start key to begin play (block 706). The player canthen take the shots (block 707). Once the session is complete, thesystem automatically determines and displays results of the session, inthe form of session statistics, to the player (block 708). Someembodiments include different operational characteristics, such as, forexample automatically determining the shot location using one of thetechniques described above instead of receiving it from the player(block 703) or receiving the type of shot via headset 104 to accommodate“hands-free” operation (block 704) and so forth.

FIGS. 8A-8C are functional diagrams of example presentations fordisplaying performance measurements in the playing environmentillustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, shooting session historicalperformance measurements may be presented to the player or coach indisplay area 202 or 204 of console 101. Other types of reports can beprovided to assist the player or coach in evaluating the results ofplay. For example, FIG. 8B illustrates an example of a report organizedby week. Table 1 illustrates other types of reports provided by variousembodiments: TABLE 1 Reports by Type Report Type Reports Calendar 1.Weekly summary by day 2. Monthly summary by week 3. Yearly summary bymonth 4. Cumulative by shooter Location 1. All shot types 2. By shottype 3. Summary for 3 pointers Shot type 1. All shot types 2. By shottype 3. Summary for 3 pointers Summaries 1. Top 10 shooting sessions by% made (by date) 2. Top 10 shooting locations (location) 3. Top 10 shottypes (type) 4. Top 10 shot types by location (type/loc.)

Some embodiments provide the capability to view the results of play ingraph or other tabular formats. For example, FIG. 8C illustrates anexample of a graph for providing results of play in graphical format.Other embodiments will display other statistics appropriate to theshooting sport being practiced.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a high level overview of a screendisplayed by a software embodiment for transferring information to andfrom a console apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 9, console 101 can include software that enables a varietyof functions, including without limitation: 1) Connect/interface theconsole 101 with a PC via a USB port or other communications interface;2) Display performance data in a variety of formats, such as illustratedby FIGS. 8A-8C; 3) Download performance data to the PC; 4) Enableautomatic generation of standardized performance data reports; 5)Provide for upload of firmware upgrades; 6) Allow performance data to besent via email; 7) Transfer status information about operation of theconsole 101 and associated hardware and software back to manufacturer.Table 2 illustrates other types of menu options provided in anembodiment: TABLE 2 Menu Options Pull down menus Sub-menus 1. Entershooter I.D. 2. Select shot location 3. Select shot type 4. Selectcalendar/dates Cumulative Annual Monthly Weekly 5. Select report typeStandard Top 10 shooting sessions Top 10 shot locations Top 10 shottypes by location

Various embodiments will include other functions readily apparent topersons skilled in the art but not mentioned here for brevity.

In one embodiment, a path made by the ball during a shot is tracked bythe console 101. The path information may be used to locate the ball asit goes through the hoop or may be used to track the path of the ball inorder to analyze the shooter's technique. One technique for tracking theball path during play involves adding a radio frequency identification(“RFID”) chip to the ball. The RFID chip can signal a tracking unitintegrated into or cooperatively coupled with the console 101, enablingthe console 101 to track the path of the ball. In another technique, thevideo camera 105 and image processing software may be used to track thepath of the ball during the shot. An exemplary arc tracking analyzer foruse in the present invention is available from Pillar Vision, Inc. ofMenlo Park, Calif. (www.noahbasketball.com) and by Radar Golf, Inc. ofRoseville, Calif. (www.radargolf.com).

In other aspects, the invention encompasses in some embodiments,computer apparatus, computing systems and machine-readable mediaconfigured to carry out the foregoing methods. In addition to anembodiment consisting of specifically designed integrated circuits orother electronics, the present invention may be conveniently implementedusing a conventional general purpose or a specialized digital computeror microprocessor programmed according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the computer art.

Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilledprogrammers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will beapparent to those skilled in the software art. The invention may also beimplemented by the preparation of application specific integratedcircuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventionalcomponent circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart.

The present invention includes a computer program product which is astorage medium (media) having instructions stored thereon/in which canbe used to program a computer to perform any of the processes of thepresent invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limitedto, any type of rotating media including floppy disks, optical discs,DVD, CD-ROMs, microdrive, and magneto-optical disks, and magnetic oroptical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any typeof media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or data.

Stored on any one of the computer readable medium (media), the presentinvention includes software for controlling both the hardware of thegeneral purpose/specialized computer or microprocessor, and for enablingthe computer or microprocessor to interact with a human user or othermechanism utilizing the results of the present invention. Such softwaremay include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems,and user applications.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary processing system 900, which cancomprise the console 101 of FIGS. 2A-2C. Turning now to FIG. 9, anexemplary computing system is illustrated that may comprise the console101 of FIGS. 2A-2C. While other alternatives might be utilized, it willbe presumed for clarity sake that components of the systems of FIGS.2A-2C are implemented in hardware, software or some combination thereofin at least one embodiment.

Computing system 900 comprises components coupled via one or morecommunication channels (e.g., bus 901) including one or more general orspecial purpose processors 902, such as a Pentium®, Centrino®, PowerPC®, digital signal processor (“DSP”), and so on. System 900 componentsalso include one or more input devices 903 (such as a mouse, keyboard,microphone, pen, and so on), and one or more output devices 904, such asa suitable display, speakers, actuators, and so on, in accordance with aparticular application. (It will be appreciated that input or outputdevices can also similarly include more specialized devices orhardware/software device enhancements suitable for use by the mentallyor physically challenged.)

System 900 also includes a computer readable storage media reader 905coupled to a computer readable storage medium 906, such as astorage/memory device or hard or removable storage/memory media; suchdevices or media are further indicated separately as storage 908 andmemory 909, which may include hard disk variants, floppy/compact diskvariants, digital versatile disk (“DVD”) variants, smart cards, readonly memory, random access memory, cache memory, and so on, inaccordance with the requirements of a particular application. One ormore suitable communication interfaces 907 may also be included, such asa modem, DSL, infrared, RF or other suitable transceiver, and so on forproviding inter-device communication directly or via one or moresuitable private or public networks or other components that may includebut are not limited to those already discussed.

Working memory 910 further includes operating system (“OS”) 911 elementsand other programs 912, such as one or more of application programs,mobile code, data, and so on for implementing system 900 components thatmight be stored or loaded therein during use. The particular OS or OSsmay vary in accordance with a particular device, features or otheraspects in accordance with a particular application (e.g. Windows,WindowsCE, Mac, Linux, Unix or Palm OS variants, a cell phone OS, aproprietary OS, Symbian, and so on). Various programming languages orother tools can also be utilized, such as those compatible with Cvariants (e.g., C++, C#), the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition(“J2EE”) or other programming languages in accordance with therequirements of a particular application. Other programs 912 mayfurther, for example, include one or more of activity systems, educationmanagers, education integrators, or interface, security, othersynchronization, other browser or groupware code, and so on, includingbut not limited to those discussed elsewhere herein.

When implemented in software (e.g. as an application program, object,agent, downloadable, servlet, and so on in whole or part), a learningintegration system or other component may be communicated transitionallyor more persistently from local or remote storage to memory (SRAM, cachememory, etc.) for execution, or another suitable mechanism can beutilized, and components may be implemented in compiled or interpretiveform. Input, intermediate or resulting data or functional elements mayfurther reside more transitionally or more persistently in a storagemedia, cache or other volatile or non-volatile memory, (e.g., storagedevice 908 or memory 909) in accordance with a particular application.

Other features, aspects and objects of the invention can be obtainedfrom a review of the figures and the claims. It is to be understood thatother embodiments of the invention can be developed and fall within thespirit and scope of the invention and claims. The foregoing descriptionof preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided forthe purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitionerskilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in orderto best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understandthe invention for various embodiments and with various modificationsthat are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and theirequivalence.

1. A shooting sports measurement system, comprising: a first sensor todetect shots taken, a second sensor to determine shots made, a detectionmechanism that detects a position of a player when the player takes ashot; and a console, the console communicatively coupled with the firstsensor, the second sensor and the detection mechanism to receive dataand determine performance of a player.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first sensor includes a delay factor to avoid double counting thesame shot when multiple triggering events occur.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the first sensor comprises a vibration sensor adapted to beattached to the basketball rim or backboard to detect a shot taken. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor comprises at least oneof an optoelectronic sensor or a counter lever, adapted to be attachedto the basketball rim or backboard to determine number of shots made ata specified location.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the console actsas an input and output device for each shooting session.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the console includes at least one of a clock withdisplay, time and date, RF receivers from a vibration sensor and acounter sensor, a court location diagram illustrating a plurality ofcells imposed upon at least a portion of a playing field, a buzzer, awarning voice, a standard memory card slot for storing data and a userinterface for data input.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thedetection mechanism that detects position of a player making shotscomprises: an infrared sensor that automatically detect a player'sposition using a 2D grid.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thedetection mechanism that detects position of a player making shotscomprises: a pressure sensor grid disposed at least a portion of aplaying field.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanismthat detects position of a player making shots comprises: a camera witha ranging device.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playingfield, wherein the plurality of cells indicates a player's position whena shot is taken.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofcells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field furthercomprises: a plurality of cells of varying sizes according to relevanceto scoring in the shooting sport under practice superimposed onto atleast a portion of a playing field.
 12. The system of claim 10, whereinthe plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playingfield further comprises: a plurality of cells associated with analphanumeric naming convention facilitating ease of use superimposedonto at least a portion of a playing field.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least a portion of aplaying field further comprises: a plurality of cells arranged accordingto Cartesian coordinates superimposed onto at least a portion of aplaying field.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofcells superimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field furthercomprises: a plurality of cells arranged according to polar coordinatessuperimposed onto at least a portion of a playing field.
 15. The systemof claim 10, wherein the plurality of cells superimposed onto at least aportion of a playing field further comprises: a plurality of cellsarranged in the form of concentric circular arcs superimposed onto atleast a portion of a playing field.
 16. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a video device for capturing a video record of a playertaking a shot, wherein the video device is triggered when a shot istaken.
 17. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a wireless headsetfor capturing a audio commands from a player taking a shot, wherein theaudio commands control recording of information about the shot.
 18. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the detection mechanism includes visualplayer location indicia that are adapted to be viewed by a consoleoperator such that the console operator can manually enter the indiciainto the console.
 19. A computer based method for measuring shootingsports performance, the method comprising the computer implemented stepsof: determining whether a shot is made; determining a location of aplayer taking the shot when the shot is taken; receiving informationabout the player; and determining performance of the player based on thedetermining steps.
 20. A shooting sports measurement system, comprising:a sensor to determine shots made, a detection mechanism that detects aposition of a player when the player takes a shot; and a console, theconsole communicatively coupled with the sensor and the detectionmechanism to receive data and determine performance of a player.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the detection mechanism includes visualplayer location indica that is adapted to be viewed by a consoleoperation, such that console operator can manually enter the locationinto the console.
 22. The system of claim 1 wherein the detectionmechanism automatically detects a position of a player when the playertake a shot.
 23. The system of claim 20 wherein the detection mechanismautomatically detects a position of a player when the player takes ashot.